One word: Chipotle I find this string of rapidly expanding burrito joints pretty amazing. Chipotle, you're my idol! Here's why: they sit triumphantly at the crossroads between seemingly conflicting parts of our food culture, delivering us an option that solves many problems at once. This is the culinary conundrum boiled down to its essence:

Now obviously there are a bunch of other factors in play, but this is the bare-bones dilemma that many of us face when deciding what our "face stuffing" will have in it. And I should say hefty bones dilemma, because chaotic jobs and home lives combined with money woes make speed and cost the driving forcing for many of us when choosing food... so we drive directly to the closest McDonald's (who, FYI, used to own the majority of Chipotle stock... how bout that for a plot twist?). So how does Chipotle help guide us out of the Bermuda Food Triangle? For around $7, you can walk away with a meal that is healthy, served fast, inexpensive, and tasty. With their naturally-raised, antibiotic-free animal products and lightning fast food preparers, they give people a great burrito (or chicken burrito bowl if you're following the latest Chipotle craze) in just a few minutes. The restaurant itself has a trendy and stylish, yet casual feel. So how do they make their profit? Because they lower their prices and use simple, yet elegant systems to deliver a few quality options, they are able to satisfy the needs of a large portion of the population. These satisfied folks come back and bring their friends and... presto, you've got people putting individual drops into the Chipotle money bucket, but instead of a leaky faucet rate of drops, you've got a torrential downpour of drops coming in! So what does this have to do with community acupuncture? We use our simple, yet effective systems of acupuncture that involve mostly arm and leg points to meet the health needs of a large percentage of folks out there. And because we don't charge an arm and a leg, you can run out and tell your friends about how awesome community acupuncture is! It is healthy, served fast, inexpensive, and... well not really tasty, but definitely relaxing, mind-clearing, and ailment-healing.

Behind the Voices

Jenny Chen is an award-winning multimedia journalist and science writer. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Time.com, and NPR member stations. She was formerly the editor-in0chief of a local Asian American news magazine called Asian Fortune. Jenny is an avid fan or acupuncture and holistic medicine - and especially a fan of OurSpace!

Farris grew up in Georgia and worked for years as a youth wilderness counselor, teacher, and tutor before moving to Maryland to pursue a degree in acupuncture. A recent Tai Sophia graduate, he is committed to bringing affordable acupuncture and wellness education to groups in the DC Metro area. As Farris puts it, “I am continually amazed that tiny pins inserted just under the surface of the skin and a thoughtful question by a practitioner helped heal my shoulder, strengthen my bladder, and lift my depression; the same medicine has allowed me to help others heal their necks, stomachs, cancers, and spirits. I believe acupuncture is the answer to crises of healthcare, community, and ultimately the planet."